Polygraph

Trump administration envoys and Vladimir Putin have discussed the sale of part of a Russian oil giant to an investor group.

Posted by Deadline: White House, Checked

Polygraph verdictTrue
Sources
8 support
Said
1 time·
Confidence
85%
Deadline: White HouseOct 28, 2026
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Multiple sources, citing the New York Times, report that Trump's envoys (Witkoff and Kushner) and Putin discussed the sale of Russian oil giant assets (Lukoil) to an investor group, with the Kremlin-linked Ushakov also confirming discussions with the administration on related topics.

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What was said

… is now exploring another concession that they'd like to make to Russia, lifting sanctions on Putin's so-called slush fund, one of Russia's most powerful assets. That is on top of conversations in recent weeks in which, as The New York Times writes, quote, Trump's envoys and Putin have discussed the sale of part of Russian oil giant to a well-connected investor group, as well as an effort to produce natural gas in Alaska, from which several executives resigned amid concerns about hidden Russian financing, and a proposal to increase Russian gas exports to Europe that has stunned European governments. …
Deadline: White House · · from the transcriptPost →

What we found

Supports. The NYT (via Heraldcorp and Mediaite) reported Putin asked Trump's envoys Kushner and Witkoff to help broker the sale of overseas assets held by Lukoil, which Putin raised at a Sept. 5 Kremlin meeting.[1][2][3]

Supports. Reporting on the NYT's October 27 story states that Trump's envoys and Putin discussed the sale of part of a Russian oil giant to a well-connected investor group in recent weeks.[4][5][6][7]

Supports. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed sanctions-relief talks with the Trump administration, and the Times reported Dmitriev discussed the stake sale with Witkoff and Kushner.[8]

Context. The investor group is described as including billionaire Todd Boehly and Middle Eastern investors tied to the envoys' families, plus a US government arm (DFC), and the deal still requires approval from Washington and Moscow.[2][3]

Sources

8 sources: 8 not rated

  1. 1Trump envoys discussed sale of Russian oil giant's assets with Putin during truce talks, NYT reportsbiz.heraldcorp.com · not rated · cited for: supports
  2. 2Trump Negotiators’ Ties Collide With Russian Oil Deal: NYTmediaite.com · not rated · cited for: supports, context
  3. 3U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Now Involve an Oil Deal Tied to ...sej.org · not rated · cited for: supports, context
  4. 4Biden Sanctioned Putin's 'Slush Fund' After War. Trump Is ...ndtv.com · not rated · cited for: supports
  5. 5Trump's team is considering lifting sanctions on a Russian investment fund — NYT | УННunn.ua · not rated · cited for: supports
  6. 6News in brief for October 29 HTHhawaiitribune-herald.com · not rated · cited for: supports
  7. 7The US called it Putin's "black fund", Trump is now considering lifting sanctionsen.vijesti.me · not rated · cited for: supports
  8. 8Kremlin Confirms US Talks on Investment Fund Sanctionsyahoo.com · not rated · cited for: supports

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